GMED 705AB Developing a Personal and Professional Narrative

Credits: 1
Fall of the fourth year marks a time of transition for medical students as they find themselves at varying stages of the residency interview process. This is an ideal time for students to reflect on their personal and professional narratives and prepare for the steps ahead. Narrative Medicine provides the essential tools for distillation of personal narrative and formation of professional identity. Students in this course will build upon the skills developed during the Foundations of Medicine Narrative Medicine curriculum-namely of listening, observation, refection, and story-telling-in order to grow and sustain a reflective practice. The course consists of a series of reading and writing assignments focused on recognizing and constructing narrative threads. As many students will be traveling for interviews during this time, the course is designed to accommodate flexibility. Students will attend an in-person orientation and writing session at the start of the rotation, then read and write independently throughout the duration of the month. At the end of this course, students will meet to share their final writing. In addition to brief daily prompt-based writing exercises for personal development, students will complete several lengthier reflective pieces to share with their peers. Students will be expected to read one-another’s writing, and meet weekly, either through virtual or in-person meetings, to discuss and give constructive feedback. At least one piece of reflective writing will be submitted for assessment by supporting faculty. Students will have the option of submitting their writing for wider distribution via appropriate medical student publications.

Graded: Pass/No pass
May be taken only once for credit